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Forest certification in Estonia

Forest certification in Estonia. Rein Ahas Hando Hain Peep Mardiste Institute of Geography University of Tartu. Location of Estonia. Area 46 000 km 2 Population 1,4 million 70 % living in cities. B ackground.

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Forest certification in Estonia

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  1. Forest certification in Estonia Rein Ahas Hando Hain Peep Mardiste Institute of Geography University of Tartu

  2. Location of Estonia Area 46 000 km2 Population 1,4 million 70% living in cities

  3. Background

  4. 50% is covered with forestsLow use and good management during Soviet regime created high biodiversity

  5. Today - Estonia is harvesting more (13 mil m3) than annual growth (10 mil m3) Annual felling volumes 1990-2002

  6. Liberal forest policy created illegal forestry Area damaged by Stora Enso in April 2004

  7. Society in transition has special aspects • Consumerism • Need to keep several jobs to consume • Speed of life and changes • Low environmental and social awareness

  8. Fragmented landscapes and properties 80% of private lands are less than 10 hectares

  9. Private forests • 60% private forests • Restitution is still ongoing • Overharvesting and illegal logging happens mostly in private lands

  10. State forest • 40% forests belonging to state • State forest is managed by State Forest Management Centre - RMK • RMK has FSC and ISO 14001 certificate since 2002

  11. The emergence of forest certification

  12. Important steps • 1995 Certification introduced by env. NGOs • 1997 State Forestry Development Program studied certification • 1998 National working group on forest certification • 1999 NEPcon/Smartwood started in Estonia • 2000 First standard • 2001 PEFC initiative • 2002 State forest FSC certified • 2004 FSC working group endorsed

  13. Why certification emerged? • active support of international and local NGOs • NGOs were dissatisfied about liberal forest policy • national forest policy was seeking for alternatives • certification discussions from neighboring countries • market for FSC products emerged

  14. National working group on forest certification (NWGFC) • 1998 - 2000 • 30 active members • Discussion of FSC principles and criteria

  15. Hard discussions between • Environmentalists • Forest survey specialists (planners) and • Forestry scientists and administrators (silvaculturalists) • Industry and social sector were silent

  16. Main discussion topics • Management plan (need, how detail ect) • Melioration, pesticides, introduced species • Limiting clear-cut management

  17. Basic conflict on concept of spring truce • No forest management during breeding season of birds and animals • Had support from society and opposition from industry

  18. NEPcon / Smartwood in Estonia 1999 • Peter Feilberg started certification in Baltic • Office in Tartu • Russian direction

  19. Reaction to certification

  20. Market • 800 000 ha certified • 2 700 000 m3 FSC timber annually produced • Only 0,1% is processed as certified • Local market has no idea of FSC - awareness

  21. Problems • Avareness and activity of stakeholders was and is low, this makes all activities difficult • Sceptic foresters and administrators • No coopertaion between land-owners

  22. Effects of certification

  23. Effects • Discussion started and introduced different thinking (paradigm) and participation • Market (demand from Western Europe) has impact on producers (CoC) • Image of companies is important

  24. Effects Social – work safety and health care improved • Environmental – biodiversity issues, spring truce, waste management, soil protection • Economic – long term planning and thinking

  25. Conclusions • Certification had positive impact • Environemntal awareness is problem • Need for group certification

  26. Research perspectives • How to measure impacts – quantitative and qualitative methods, indicators • Audit data can be used for analyses • Regular research activities and meetings

  27. Suur tänu! Thank you!

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